January can be a challenging time for many families and educators. Winter routines can feel long and tiring, anxiety may be more noticeable, and kindergarten registration adds another layer of change and anticipation. Understanding what children may be experiencing and knowing how to support them can make this season feel more manageable.
Understanding Anxiety in Young Children
Feeling anxious is a normal part of child development. Anxiety is the body and brain’s way of responding to something that feels stressful or scary. A small amount of anxiety can even be helpful, as it allows children to recognize danger and stay safe. However, when anxiety happens often or feels overwhelming, children may need extra support from caring adults.
Anxiety does not always look the way we expect. It can show up as worry, nervousness, sadness, or fear, but it may also appear as defiance, irritability, anger, sleep challenges, or withdrawal. Recognizing these behaviours as communication helps adults respond with empathy rather than frustration.
Supporting Children When Anxiety Shows Up
One of the most important things adults can do is remain calm. Children often take cues from the adults around them, and calm, consistent responses help children feel safe.
Acknowledge and validate emotions by naming what the child may be feeling, such as saying, “I see this is hard for you.” Offer comfort and encourage calming strategies like deep breathing, holding a comforting item such as a stuffed animal, or spending time in a quiet space to regroup.
Providing advance notice of changes can also help reduce anxiety. Visual schedules, timers, or simple verbal reminders give children time to prepare for what is coming next. When possible, encourage children to face fears gradually rather than avoiding them altogether, supporting them to manage their feelings in the moment.
Winter Can Be Hard
The winter months can disrupt routines, limit outdoor time, and impact energy levels for both children and adults. Acknowledging that winter can feel hard is important. Maintaining predictable routines as much as possible, finding small moments of movement or connection, and offering extra patience can help ease stress during this time.
Registering for Kindergarten
January is also the time to begin thinking about kindergarten registration. Children born in 2022 are eligible for Junior Kindergarten or Year 1 Kindergarten, and children born in 2021 are eligible for Senior Kindergarten or Year 2 Kindergarten.
Families can register through their local school board:
Preparing early and talking positively about kindergarten can help children feel more confident about this upcoming transition.
Additional Information
- Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but ongoing anxiety may need adult support.
- Anxiety can look like behaviour challenges, not just worry or fear.
- Consistent routines and adult modeling help children learn how to manage anxious feelings.
Resources
- What to Do and Not Do When Children Are Anxious
- Understanding Anxiety Tip Sheet (SNR Collaborative)
- Check out the Instagram account for Leslie Sugalski Mosback, LPC
